I've got tons of stuff which I want to make available to my desktop, my laptop and kid's computer - without having to clutter their own HDD's so something else is necessary.

I also want that this would be accessible not only from my own home network, but also through a web-address or something, from work a couple of miles away - for easy transfer of work files and backups.

I need 1TB of space. Anything less would be too little and anything more would be too expensive.

Thing is... I know next to zilch about servers...
I have a spare pc which can be used as a server - it's already assembled with single core processor less than 2Ghz, 512MB RAM etc and an HDD with XP Pro.

The advantages of making a server would be that I can probably insert more 1TB drives if needed in the future, whereas if I were to buy a NAS I'd just have to buy another if I run out of space.
Also I read that a server might be faster?

The disadvantages would be that I only found for local purchase, IDE drives of 500GB costing €90 each - getting 2 of those for a server would cost more than the Lacie I linked to above. Further, I'd also have to purchase a USB wireless so the server connects to the router. Also, the NAS drive would consume only 14W, while a running pc will consume much more than that - apart from having to be switched on when needed so that I'd have 3 systems running rather than 2...

Also read that Linux is best for such servers (either that or buying Windows Server 2003) so I'd have to 'ditch' the XP pro for an OS I've never used?

Building yourself is more fun of course and you'd keep more options to expand. Then again, if your needs won't grow that fast a 1-2 disk prebuild NAS is a good choice. You can later (few years?) replace the disks.

What kind of media are we talking about anyhow? I would go with a NAS over server.

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Prefer to have something physically mine... no 'rent' involved.

Media - family videos & photos, save games, MS Office files, office accounting programs backup, customers' data, statements, storage of programs like cpu-z, gpu-z, SIW etc so they're accessible from everywhere without me having to dowload and install them every time... well a lot of stuff both recreational and work...

You don't technically need a dedicated server to do what you want. Just use one of the PCs that are already running 24/7.

Stick a 1TB hard drive in it, and setup the sharing on the network, it is all easy on XP Pro. And for remote access from outside of the network, a simple FTP server using FileZilla should work for what you need.

Foxconn Blackops (24 pin connector is loose so power cable has to be plugged in just right)

Cooling:

Thermalright Ultra 120

Memory:

4x 2Gb Crucial Ballistix 7-7-7-9

Video Card(s):

EVGA GTX 570 SC (running below stock due to stability issues)

Hard Disk(s):

1 x 320 GB Seagate 7200 rpm SATA 3 (Very slow)

Optical Drive:

LG DVD-RW 24x (yes, I still use an optical drive)

LCD/CRT Model:

Samsung 24inch 1920x1080

Case:

Cooler Master ATX Mid Tower Something Something

Sound Card:

Diamond Extreme 7.1 24bit (New and the audio out connector is already shot)

Power Supply:

PC Power and Cooling 700 W (refurbished)

Software:

Windows 8.1 (for games)

if it were me, i would build a real cheapo box and stick 2 500 gig drives in raid 0 in it with the option of adding 2 more drives down the road. then i would install the FreeNAS operating system which works very well with media devices.

You don't technically need a dedicated server to do what you want. Just use one of the PCs that are already running 24/7.

Stick a 1TB hard drive in it, and setup the sharing on the network, it is all easy on XP Pro. And for remote access from outside of the network, a simple FTP server using FileZilla should work for what you need.

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That would be a really, really bad idea. She mentioned customer data and accounting, thus I'd go for a RAID 1 array. And have a third disk to make a backup.
If budget is tight, have a single drive and a backup drive, backup regularly. (Interval depends on how often the data changes)

As for prebuilt NAS or dedicated server, I really don't see much of a difference there.

if it were me, i would build a real cheapo box and stick 2 500 gig drives in raid 0 in it with the option of adding 2 more drives down the road. then i would install the FreeNAS operating system which works very well with media devices.

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RAID 0 in a server with data you don't want to lose. That would be even worse.

That would be a really, really bad idea. She mentioned customer data and accounting, thus I'd go for a RAID 1 array. And have a third disk to make a backup.
If budget is tight, have a single drive and a backup drive, backup regularly. (Interval depends on how often the data changes)

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From what she described, the home server would be used as a back-up for work files. There is no reason to go with a RAID1 solution in this situation, as the data is already being stored in two places(work and home).

If this was the dedicated server in the work environment, then I would agree RAID1 or 5 would be a must, but for a home server that will just be used for the occasional work backup, there is no need.

server 2003 with a software raid 5 array is the most flexible server as you can run utorrent, tversity(for ps3 360), video encoders, folding@home and any other programs you want. compared to say a dedicated nas that will only run what its designed to run and cant be upgraded or expanded.

2) NAS (around $600)--virtually the same as #1 but all the hardware is OEM.

3) Server ($700 for the OS, $1500+ for the hardware).

If you want to plug it in and leave it be, NAS is the way to go (no monitor, no keyboard, no mouse, just a box with NIC and power)...

Is there a computer you usually leave on 24/7? If so, the cheapest solution would be to just buy a big hard drive, stick it in that computer, and share it. If not, the electrical costs associated with running a desktop 24/7 with network shared folders may in the long run, cost more than buying a NAS up front.

I wouldn't even consider a server in your scenario. I was in your situation and blew $700 on Server 2003 only to be shocked by how little that $600 some extra is actually next to worthless to me.

well use a modified xp install for raid 5 i think theres a article on toms hardware guide on how to do it. and for hardware you would want a atom board as they only have a power consumption of about 35W and are dirt cheap.

2) NAS (around $600)--virtually the same as #1 but all the hardware is OEM.

3) Server ($700 for the OS, $1500+ for the hardware).

If you want to plug it in and leave it be, NAS is the way to go (no monitor, no keyboard, no mouse, just a box with NIC and power)...

Is there a computer you usually leave on 24/7? If so, the cheapest solution would be to just buy a big hard drive, stick it in that computer, and share it. If not, the electrical costs associated with running a desktop 24/7 with network shared folders may in the long run, cost more than buying a NAS up front.

I wouldn't even consider a server in your scenario. I was in your situation and blew $700 on Server 2003 only to be shocked by how little that $600 some extra is actually next to worthless to me.

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Not sure where you get your numbers, but she already has a spare machine for the job. So I'd say she only has to pick the storage she requires.

i bought a 320 gig lacie NAS media server used from newegg for 85 dollars.

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The only NAS I would consider buying is Netgear ReadyNAS. Those run for $400-600 for the most part featuring 2 drives, RAID1. Of course they can be had for a lot less but I, personally, wouldn't go there.

I have no problem leaving these run 24/7 because they are engineered for it.

The average entry level (or home, for that matter) server has no redundant PSU's, CPU's are never redundant (unless you have some really expensive hardware) and basically any modern OS can handle multiple clients. Even a UPS is overkill for a home storage server.

I would not be inclined to let this computer run 24/7 as the parts aren't engineered to do so.

The only NAS I would consider buying is Netgear ReadyNAS. Those run for $400-600 for the most part featuring 2 drives, RAID1. Of course they can be had for a lot less but I, personally, wouldn't go there.

I have no problem leaving these run 24/7 because they are engineered for it.

They most certainly are engineered to run 24/7, and I bet most people on this site run their PCs 24/7. I know 3 of the 4 in my sig run 24/7.

Most entry level servers are nothing more than normal desktop parts with a different OS.

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OEMs like Dell, HP etc, do often use server chipsets allowing for ECC memory to be used. Apart from that they indeed are nothing special. Of course you get different software and warranty is handled different, that's basically it.